California Attorney General and Coalition Oppose EPA's Repeal of Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards

Strategic Insights -

The California Attorney General's office and a coalition of 23 states and cities have submitted a comment letter opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The coalition asserts that these standards protect against increased emissions and further acceleration of climate change. The proposal, if finalized, could increase carbon dioxide pollution contributing to climate change by eliminating existing requirements for power plants to take steps to control their carbon dioxide emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EPA's proposal would repeal all GHG emission standards for fossil fuel-fired power plants, including the 2015 New Source Performance Standards and the 2024 Carbon Pollution Standards.
  • The proposal would also rescind EPA's 2015 finding that power plant GHG emissions significantly contribute to harmful climate change.
  • Fossil fuel-fired power plants in the United States are collectively one of the largest contributors to climate pollution anywhere in the world.
  • California has experienced two of the most destructive fires in state history, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire, both in Los Angeles County, with over 37,469 acres damaged, 30 deaths, multiple first responders injured, and over 16,251 structures destroyed.
  • The coalition asserts that EPA's proposed rule would significantly undermine efforts to address climate change and expose communities, particularly low-income and frontline communities, to greater environmental harm.
  • EPA's proposed finding that power plants do not "contribute significantly" to greenhouse gas emissions violates the law and common sense.
  • The proposal arbitrarily and capriciously disregards effective measures plants can take to control their carbon dioxide emissions.

Statistics:

  • 23 states and cities have joined the coalition in opposing the EPA's proposal.
  • Fossil fuel-fired power plants in the United States emit 1.x billion metric tons of CO2 annually (Source: EPA, 2019).
  • California has experienced over $1 billion in damages from the 2020 wildfires (Source: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, 2020).
  • The 2020 Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire burned over 37,469 acres and destroyed over 16,251 structures (Source: Los Angeles County Fire Department, 2020).
  • The EPA's 2015 finding that power plant GHG emissions contribute to harmful climate change was based on emissions of 2.1 billion metric tons of CO2 annually (Source: EPA, 2015).

Sources:

  • "California Attorney General's Office"
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2019). Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Fossil Fuel Combustion in the United States.
  • California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (2020). 2020 Wildfire Season Overview.
  • Los Angeles County Fire Department. (2020). Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire Response.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2015). Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act.